Bernard x Oc

Love?

The elves cowered together as Krampus moved closer. Bernard and Curtis stood in front of them, feeling terrified as they eyed the Christmas Devil. Alfina was lying on the ground on her back, her eyes shut tight, and her body in a horizontal position. The head elf glanced over at the unconscious girl with worry. Krampus snarled, his lips curled, showing sharp teeth, and his claw-like hands rubbed together as he stared at the elves like a predator stares at its prey.

Then, Krampus snapped his sunken eyes to the head elf, "You pathetic waste of space," His voice laced with venom, "Time for you to die!" Bernard's eyes widened in alarm as Krampus lunged at him. The demonic Santa snatched Bernard's throat and squeezed.

Bernard quakes under Krampus' deadly grip, gasping for air. Curtis moves quickly by grabbing the Christmas Devil's arm, trying to wrench him away from the elf. Krampus spins towards Curtis and smacks him away, knocking Curtis to the ground. Krampus lifts Bernard in the air and shakes him, "Say goodbye, slave!" The head elf glances to see Alfina wake up and gasp in fear.

Krampus lifted his sharp-clawed hand to Bernard's chest and slashed deep, causing searing pain to the elf. Bernard screams in agony, and Krampus drops him to the ground with a wicked grin. Alfina screams as she watches Bernard's chest bleed out. The elf gasps and chokes, and the metallic taste of blood fill his mouth. Alfina cries out for her friend, "BERNARD!" Krampus laughs as he watches the elf die, "Hahaha!"

The girl cried out, "NOOO-"

"NOOOO!" Alfina bolts up from the bed, quaking under the sheets from the nightmare. The sound of running feet echoed down the halls toward her room.

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

Alfina brushed the sweat off her ashen face and glimpsed at the door, "C-come in..." She stuttered, watching the door open, revealing the same elf that died in her dream.

"Alfina? Are you alright?" Bernard stood there, worrying about the girl. Alfina knew she would act like a little kid, but she couldn't help but raise her arms to the elf, whimpering as tears leaked from her red eyes. Bernard didn't hesitate to move to the trembling girl on the bed. The head elf wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her close to his chest. Alfina sniffed, rubbing her nose against her arm, leaning against the head elf.

"A nightmare..."

"What?"

"That's what I had, Bernard. A nightmare about you, the elves, and Krampus."

Bernard brushed away the bangs from Alfina's face, gazing down at the terrified girl. Alfina scoffed, "I should be the one not afraid about this, but the nightmare scared me."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Bernard coaxed gently, staring at Alfina with a comforting look. Alfina peers up at Bernard, unsure whether or not to tell him she saw him die before her. Then, taking a deep, unsteady breath, the girl twisted her head to the older, "I saw you die at the hands of Krampus," She swallowed. The head elf paled. All he could do was stare at the ashen white girl in his arms.

Bernard puts his hand on Alfina's cheek and views the frightening shock in her eyes as he wipes the tears from her tear-stained cheeks. He felt another tug in his chest. With Alfina in his arms, the elf gently laid back on the bed, his head plopped on the pillow, and Alfina snuggled against him. They snuggled together on the bed, not uttering a word. The only sound that came from them was their breathing. Bernard peers down at Alfina and locks his brown eyes on her green eyes.

The elf couldn't help but stare at the twelve-year-old as his chest continued to tug. No, not just his chest, but his heart. Alfina sighs, closing her eyes as she wraps her arm around the elf's chest. Bernard rubs his thumb on the girl's cheek, watching her fall back asleep. That's when the elf realizes why his chest tugged. He was in love with the girl.